Skimmer for a water body

ABSTRACT

A skimmer for a water body includes a float carrying a detachable trash receptacle having a forwardly directed opening. There is a propeller on the float offset from the float center for propelling the float and a settable rudder for guiding the float. A rotatable guard ring extends outwardly beyond the float to fend the float from obstacles and permit the float to turn away automatically. A decorative housing encloses much of the structure.

United StatesPatent [1 1 Flatland Oct. 23, 1973 SKIMNIER FOR A WATERBODY [76] Inventor: Lloyd P. Flatland, PO. Box 371,

Corte Madera, Calif.

[22] Filed: Oct. 14, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 189,271

[52] US. Cl. 210/242, 210/169 [51] Int. Cl E02b 15/04 [58] Field ofSearch 210/169, 242, DIG. 21;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,291,145 12/1966 Arneson..15/1.7

3,430,277 3/1969 Ortega 3,551,930 1/1971 Myers 3,268,081 8/1966 Mentreeet al. 210/242 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 590,252 1/1960 Canada210/169 Primary Examiner--Frank A. Spear, Jr. Assistant ExaminerT. A.Granger Att0meyMarcus Lothrop et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A skimmer for a water body includes a float carrying adetachable trash receptacle having a forwardly directed opening. Thereis a propeller on the float offset from the float center for propellingthe float and a settable rudder for guiding the float. A rotatable guardring extends outwardly beyond the float to fend the float from obstaclesand permit the float to turn away automatically. A decorative housingencloses much of the structure.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures mmmm 3.767.055 SHEET 2 BF 2 FIG 4 SKIMMERFOR A WATER BODY There are many occasions on which it is desired toremove superficial debris from a water body. These occasions may extendall the way from an oil slick on an ocean or a bay to the leaves andother flotsam on the surface of a swimming pool. It is often desirableto remove material from the immediate surface of the water body. Debrisor flotsam gathered can later be readily removed from the skimmingdevice. The present invention is useful in skimming water bodies ingeneral but is especially useful in skimming the surface of the water inswimming pools. The pool surface is usually surrounded by a wall orbarrier of some sort, perhaps interrupted by an overflow trough, lightwell or the like and sometimes having projections such as steps, ladderstanchions and the like. Some existing swimming pool skimmers areparticularly programmed to sweep in a regular and predetermined path inorder that obstacles will be avoided and that most of the surface willbe covered in a comprehensive fashion. Some skimmers require personalsupervision and redirection if they become jammed in overflow troughs orbetween the ladder stanchions or step corners and the like. Many suchdevices utilize water under pressure as a propulsive force. Thisinvolves trailing a flexible water hose with the skimming device whichitself can become caught.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a skimmer for awater body, particularly a swimming pool, in which the skimmer operatesat random but eventually covers all of the pool surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide a skimmer which isprotected from lodging in the ladder, steps, overflow or other boundaryirregularities by a fending mechanism.

Another object of the invention is toprovide a skimmer that remains inoperation by automatically changing course upon encoutering an obstacle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a skimmer for a waterbody which can operate for a pro- A further object of the invention isto provide a skimmer for a water body that cannot in any way injureswimmers in the water body.

Another object of the invention is to provide a skimmer which has anattractive and interesting appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a skimmer for a waterbody that is simple and direct in its construction and can bemanufactured for a relatively small amount of money.

A still further object of the invention is in general to provide animproved skimmer for a water body.

Other objects together with the foregoing are attained in theembodiments of the invention described in the accompanying descriptionand illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan of a skimmer constructed pursuant to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section on a vertical plane indicated by the line 2-2of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view like FIG. 2 but showing an alternate form of skimmerpropulsion mechanism; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a portion of a modified form of skimmerpropulsion mechanism.

In one form of the invention, as especially illustrated in FIGS. 1 and2, the device is intended to operate in a body of water 6 having asurface 7 confined by a boundary wall 8. The water body can be of anyshape desired and can even include the customary obstacles such as aladder, overflow gutters, steps and the like.

The skimmer preferably includes a circular float 9 convenientlyfabricated of any light material, such as a foamed plastic, and in arepresentative instance about a foot in diameter. The float is buoyantenough so that with appurtenant devices it rides in the water to adesigned or predetermined depth and thus has a normal float line 11.

Situated on the float 9 is a frame 12, usually of light metal, adaptedto be secured to the float by clips 13 so that the frame and the floatcan readily be separated. The frame in one portion is provided with adepressed yoke 14 defining an opening 15 or mouth between the frame 12and the float 9. Suspended from the frame and the yoke is a porous netor similar screen basket 16 appropriately secured in place. The meshsize permits the basket readily to move through the water but is smallenough to intercept debris such as leaves, twigs and the like.

Particularly pursuant to the invention, there is mounted on the float 9a propulsion mechanism 17. This includes a support casing 18 in which asmall electric motor 19 is situated. An adjacent battery 21 supplieselectricity to the motor 19. The customary switching mechanism isafforded but is not shown. The motor 19 carries an elongated propellershaft 22 at the end of which is mounted a multi-bladed propeller 23disposed well below the water line 11 across the float from the opening15. The housing 18 and the propeller shaft 22 are mounted somewhat offof the longitudinal center line 24 of the float. When seen in plan thereis a substantial distance or moment arm between the center line orrotational axis 25 of the propeller shaft 22 and the center line 24 orcenter of mass of the float.

Connected to the float 9 by an extension 26 is a rudder 27 including arelatively flat plate having pivot rings 28 firmly engaging a verticalportion of the extension 26. The rudder 27 can be manually moved intoand will then retain any desired angular position relative to itscentral position in line with the center line 24.

Disposed adjacent the center of the float 9 is a bearing housing 31carrying anti-friction bearings 32 and 33 supporting a verticallyextending shaft 34 supporting a circular guard ring 36. The shaft 34 andthe ring are connected by radial spokes 37. The ring 36 has a diametersubstantially greater than that of the float 9 and extends well beyondthe periphery of the float in all directions. The ring 36 is locatedbelow the water line 11 but preferably is below the water line only asmall amount so that the ring 36 travels higher than submerged steps orthe like. Furthermore, the diameter of the ring may be made too large tolodge between the upright stanchions of a pool ladder or for the ring tobecome wedged in an overflow opening or the like. The ring 36, by reasonof the anti-friction bearings 32 and 33, is mounted for very easyrotation with respect to the float 9, and so rolls along the pool wallsand around any other similar obstructions without turning the float.

Means are provided for guiding leaves and flotsam into the opening 15when the device is in operation. This means can be of an ornamental andattractive character. Removably mounted on the float 9 is a light casing38 conveniently of plastic or the like which can be molded or formed inany one of a number of shapes. An appropriate one is that simulating theshape of a whale with an open mouth adjacent the opening 15. The casingcan also be superficially decorated to carry out its representation. Thecasing 38 has an entrance portion 39 extending from some distance abovethe surface 7 to a point below the water line 11 at a gradual slope sothat superficial debris such as a leaf 41 can be engaged and deflectedand diverted toward the opening 15. Furthermore, the casing 38 canoverlie and protect the extension 26 and the rudder 27.

In use, the assembled skimmer is floated on the surface 7 and sinksuntil the water line 11 and the surface 7 are substantially coincident.The rudder 27 is usually set substantially in a central position asillustrated. The battery 21 and motor 19 are connected so that the motoris energized and rotates the propeller 23. The initial propulsion of thefloat 9 is in a direction approximately that of the center line 24 sothat the opening 15 is moved toward superficial debris. The guidingeffect of the opening 39 assists in driving the-debris in through theopening 15 and into the net or basket 16 wherein the debris lodges andis captured. Since the propeller 23 and its rotational axis 25 areslightly offset from the center line, its effect is to direct the float9 in a particular circular or curved direction, although'this isgenerally modified or entirely canceled by the effect of the slightlyturned rudder 27. But the rudder is not particularly effective at slowspeed, so the float 9 starts out in a curved path resulting from thepropeller offset. As the float gathers speed the rudder becomes moreeffective and the float tends to move more nearly in a generallystraight line. The motion of the float in the pool, for example, is alsoa partly random one since the casing 38 is susceptible to superficialwinds and wave formations. Insofar as the device moves in a particularpath, it continues until the guard ring 36 encounters an obstacle suchas the wall 8. The guard ring rotates very freely because of theanti-friction bearings so that the float may tend to glance off of ormove along the wall until it comes, say, to a corner. If the cornerstops the ring,

the rudder becomes virtually ineffective but the spinning propeller,being offset, tends to rotate the float within the ring until thepropeller is disposed in a direction effective to advance the skimmerinto open water or around the obstruction.

The random motion of the device in the water means that every portion ofthe pool surface will at some time or another be covered and theautomatic course changing feature precludes stalling or arrest of theskimmer in one location. The motor 19 is extremely small but the presentavailable flashlight or electric cell 21 contains enough energy tooperate the motor 19 under normal conditions for several hours, apresent average being up to about fifty hours. This period of service isusually more than adequate to accomplish all the necessary surfaceskimming in a domestic swimming pool, for example. At the conclusion ofthe sweeping operation the operator may remove the device from the pool,since it is relatively light, and can detach and empty the basket 16 andrestore it for further service. At the same time, if necessary, he canreplace the battery 21. Likewise he can reset the rudder 27 to adifferent angle if he cares to alter the maneuvering of the randommotion of the float.

In the modification shown in FIG. 3 the battery and propeller unit isnot utilized but instead a very light flexible hose 42 from thecustomarily provided pool filter return (not shown) is connected to thefloat 9 through a swivel connection 43. An outlet pipe 44 affords areaction jet to propel the unit. In this instance the jet is slightlyoffset just as is the propeller shaft 22 and the same type ofpropulsion, random motion and automatic course changing occur.

As a further alternative, the arrangement of FIG. 4 is sometimes used.In this instance the propeller shaft 46 and the propeller 47 are bothdisposed above the float 9 and out of the water, although the offset ofthe propeller rotational axis from the center line or center of mass ofthe float is still observed. An advantage of the air propeller is thatnone of the propulsion machinery must be specially designed to operateunder water. The operating characteristics and operating time perbattery are about the same as with the underwater propeller.

What is claimed is:

1. A skimmer for a water body having an open surface comprising a float,a screen-like basket, means for suspending said basket immediately belowsaid float, means on said float and said basket defining a mouth openingin one direction into said basket and extending both above and belowsaid surface, a shaft, means for mounting said shaft centrally on saidfloatto extend along a vertical axis, a ring in plan encompassing saidfloat and said basket, means for connecting'said ring coaxially withsaid shaft, means for propelling said float and basket including apropeller adapted to exert propulsive force along a line, and means formounting said propelling means upon said float with said line extendingin said direction and to one side of said vertical axis whereby saidpropeller exerts a torque upon said float about said vertical axis hasbeen added.

2. A skimmer as in claim 1 including means for supporting said shaft andsaid guard ring for free rotation about said axis.

3. A skimmer as in claim 2 in which said supporting means includes abearing disposed on said supporting means and is entirely above saidwater.

* I I I I

1. A skimmer for a water body having an open surface comprising a float,a screen-like basket, means for suspending said basket immediately belowsaid float, means on said float and said basket defining a mouth openingin one direction into said basket and extending both above and belowsaid surface, a shaft, means for mounting said shaft centrally on saidfloat to extend along a vertical axis, a ring in plan encompassing saidfloat and said basket, means for connecting said ring coaxially withsaid shaft, means for propelling said float and basket including apropeller adapted to exert propulsive force along a line, and means formounting said propelling means upon said float with said line extendingin said direction and to one side of said vertical axis whereby saidpropeller exerts a torque upon said float about said vertical axis.
 2. Askimmer as in claim 1 including means for supporting said shaft and saidguard ring for free rotation about said axis.
 3. A skimmer as in claim 2in which said supporting means includes a bearing disposed on saidsupporting means and is entirely above said water.